Liverpool City (rugby League) - History - London Highfield - 1933

1933

In 1932, Leeds played Wigan in an exhibition match at the White City Stadium in west London under floodlights. The stadium authorities were impressed enough to take over Wigan Highfield, who had finished second from bottom in the league, and agreed to pay off their debts. They moved the club to White City and renamed the club London Highfield. The club's old Tunstall Lane ground was sold off for housing.

Highfield's first home game on 20th September 1933 was against Wakefield Trinity in front of a crowd of around 6,000 spectators, which they lost narrowly 9 points to 8. Overall London Highfield played 38 games and finished in a credible 14th position on the table that year, having won 20 games and lost only 8. During the season Highfield also played a match against the touring Australian national team, of which the Australians won 20 points to 5 in front of a crowd of 14,500 spectators, which was also London Highfield's highest attendance for the season.

Despite this reasonable success the White City Company deemed the venture unprofitable and decided not to continue with rugby league beyond the first season. Player's match fees and expenses, plus compensating other team's travel costs contributed largely to the club's loss that year of ₤8,000.

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